What Can Be Learned From Self-Assessment Inventory - Coursework Example

?What I Have Learned From My Self-Assessment Inventory: The self-assessment tests I have undertaken gave me a more illuminated view of my own personal strengths and weaknesses and the kind of learning styles I prefer. The tests revealed that I learn best through experience and being active rather than just being passive and receiving information. However, my listening skills and sensitivity to people and the things around me are strong and this help me a lot when I take in information to process. I also know that I am a very sociable person and can get along with anyone, sometimes to the point of pleasing others too much. I am not a very confrontational person and I do advocate peace and harmony in any social circle I am part of. I am a better follower than a leader, since I can give the ultimate support to any leader. Being a very good listener, I take in other people’s points of view, process them along with my own and give back very good ideas. I know any team that would have me would be fortunate because I am indeed a great team player. On the other hand, I can buckle under pressure. To avert this, I can use my good organizational skills I have learned from my student life and plan ahead wisely so I do not get into any cramming or blame shifting when results are unexpectedly bad. My short term goals in personal and professional development is to strengthen my strengths even more so I can use them to my advantage and to correct my weaknesses and hone them into strengths. My Progress Report Recently, I have done several things for my own self-improvement. I have tried to go on a personal knowledge management journey so I know that I consciously do things in fulfilling my goal of becoming a lifelong learner. I have also been more aware of my time management strategies since I started reading up on ways to make better use of my time so that I achieve work-life balance. Finally, I have been monitoring my people relating skills to establish better personal and professional relations with others and teaching myself to be more of a leader than a follower. Being a Lifelong Learner I have always been an advocate of lifelong learning. I am exhilarated by the fact that though I am already an adult, I remain to be a student of life. I get to apply the concepts and skills I have gained in my personal and professional life, which makes the learning more valuable for me. When my applications work out in my favor, then I become grateful for my learning and am encouraged to learn some more. With learning should come reflection. According to Osterman (1990), “reflection is the essential part of the learning process because it results in making sense of or extracting meaning from the experience”. One should not just go through life as if everything comes as second nature. We need to think critically if what we are doing is truly meaningful and relevant or if we are just wasting our time on something insignificant. I constantly seek knowledge through work activities, workshops, lectures, various experiences, mentoring and training. Making sense of problems and searching for patterns to figure out solutions are completed by reviewing feedback I gather not only from research but from people around me. When I am deep in thought, I reflect on the tools I have – my ideas, opinions, experiences – everything from my own perspective, and try to identify the thinking processes I engaged in. If I allow myself to be analytical, I would put my personal perspectives on an objective frame of mind and critique it, rotate the ideas in my head inside-out to see if there are strong possibilities for solutions. I might even find new information there, when some old ideas are merged. I try to also become an instrument of learning for others when I share my experiences with them. I cannot see myself teaching them, as I know I have still a lot to learn, however when I share my experiences, I know they learn from me too. Now that I had to live independently away from the accessible guidance and support of my parents, I learned to care for my needs and to overcome challenges along the way. My analytical skills have been basic and straightforward. Usually when I encounter a problem, I ask the simplest and most predictable questions - When and where did the problem happen? What are the reasons for the problem? Who are involved in this problem? I attempt to solve the problem right away before it becomes more complicated. However, when it does and I still have not solved it, then I turn to solutions from other people or from research. When I encounter a problem, I write down the scenario using keywords. This helps me create an image of the problem to work on. Then, it serves as a guide in my search and collection of information regarding the problem at hand. When I have gathered enough possible solutions, then I create an action plan to solve the problem. Initially, I do not see the big picture. I have a tendency to focus on providing solutions right away and need to spend more time seeing how it affects everything else. However, on hindsight, I get to see all the details. Indeed, it is usually clearer when everything is over and done with. Thinking “out of the box” is one thing I have developed in terms of flexibility of thinking. I could not always insist on my way of thinking in others, but need to be flexible just so I can live and learn harmoniously with them. I have learned to accept that people may have different interpretations of concepts, some valid, and some not, but it is interesting to probe why they came up to such interpretations nonetheless. Somehow, the idea speaks to them in a way that makes sense to their own contexts. I am now open and flexible to various thinking styles. I have accepted this as part of creativity, which is a quality I am proud to possess. Learning To Manage My Time Being able to manage my time is one goal I have in my journey to becoming successful in everything I do. I need to be more productive in less time, as I always perceive a million things to do in a day! I need to know where my time gets wasted and how I can economize it. Croft (1996) gives practical things on how I can do that. He says I have to learn to let go and allow others to help me. I know that I can be a control freak at times, hoarding all the work that needs to be done to make sure it gets done correctly. That is my concept of accountability. However, Croft (1996) recommends prioritization, delegation, personal organisation, avoidance of procrastination and stress management as skills to be mastered. I deal with so many detailed tasks in my work that sometimes, I feel overwhelmed. I used to just attack tasks that come my way or those that come to mind not considering the time element involved to finish everything else. I realize that I needed to be able to learn and master the skill of time management in order to be a more effective worker. Covey, Merril & Merril’s (1994) Time Management Matrix is a helpful guide in prioritizing the tasks that needed time and attention. It teaches individuals to organize their tasks into quadrants depending on its urgency and importance. For me, it can sometimes be overwhelming to just look at a list of things to do for the day, how much more, detailed things to do for the week? Weighing what needs to be done in sequence may be a brain-twister at times, especially if the perception is that everything is important and urgent. However, this is should not be the case. Some things require one’s attention more than others, and Covey et al’s model can be used as a tool to assess which things come first. The matrix is presented as thus: Time Management Matrix Urgent Not urgent Important 1 Crises Pressing problems deadlines 2 preparation prevention goal clarification planning relationship building purposeful activity Not important 3 interruptions some mail some meetings many pressing matters many popular activities 4 trivia, time fillers junk mail some social activity ‘escape’ activities Quadrant 1 takes top priority being urgent and important. This includes crisis management rather than strategic planning. This means that foresight is needed in prevention and planning strategies in order to avoid the possible crises that may arise. The second priority is Quadrant 2 which includes tasks which are important but not urgently needed. Attention to the tasks in this quadrant reflect planned and purposeful personal leadership activity and neglecting the tasks in this quadrant increases the time spent on the first quadrant. The third quadrant include tasks that may seem urgent but are not actually important. Most individuals, when they attend to the tasks in this quadrant more than in any other quadrant, shows their lack of control on their own time. This quadrant employs deceptive use of one’s time since the ‘noise of urgency’ come from more often than not, other people’s important issues and expectations. The fourth quadrant include tasks that are not urgent and not important. This includes procrastination, lack of commitment and may be wasteful addictive behaviors rather than genuine relaxation. Tasks that belong to this quadrant are time-wasters. The Time Management Matrix explained above takes care of my prioritization process. I write down everything I need to do in job and place each tasks in the quadrant where they belong. Knowing my priorities, I now break down large jobs into smaller and more manageable chunks so I can do them one at a time, giving my full concentration on each one as I do it. One tip Croft gives is to put the unpleasant jobs at the top of the list to do so I feel satisfied when they are completed and out of the way. I need to commit to a schedule or routine by writing it down and posting it in a place where I always see it. This would remind me to stick to it. I can delegate some jobs to others who I believe are capable and reliable to complete them. This leaves me with more time to complete tasks that only I can do. Setting reasonable deadlines for tasks is one effective way for me to be pushed in working on them. My paradigm should be not just to meet deadlines for the sake of completion, but more importantly, the quality of the completed task need to be ensured. Thinking of the effects of the completed job, along with the consequences of meeting the deadline or not should be kept in mind at all times. These include: how I would feel if I do not complete the job and if I complete it, and which one I would prefer. How would it affect others concerned with the job at hand? What are the benefits of achieving the task? What are the consequences of not being able to complete it? How will it affect me and others’ regard for me in the future? All this needs positive thinking so I get motivated to complete the tasks at hand. Visualization of enjoying the task and the positive results it would bring should fill my mind. Focusing on these results should get me going. At the end, rewarding myself for a job well-done is a welcome task to add to my “to-do” list. Personal Organisation Complementing time management is personal organisation. Having a clean and organized workspace is conducive to productivity. I should keep my work station neat, with enough space to work and easy access of all the materials or equipment I might need. All distractions (ex. television, DVD player) should be eliminated. Planning ahead of time and sticking to the plan is the way to avoid procrastination, which is also a time management skill. Scheduling dates for completion of certain steps in the completion of the plan not only gives the security that the project is moving towards its fulfillment but also gives a sense of organisation to the people involved with the project. Having a synchronized date to work on marks the time that is dedicated to the project. Work-Life Balance Work-life balance entails that I feel both achievement and enjoyment in all aspects of my life: at work, with my family and friends and with myself. Each aspect needs enough investment in time and effort in order to thrive. This does not necessarily mean that I have to spend much time addressing the needs of all aspects every day of my life, because then, I would be too stressed, I’d go into a nervous breakdown! Twenty four hours in a day just is not enough to spend quality time at work with family and friends and self, however, I should make sure that within the week, I should be able to allot time for each. If all my time is spent at work or family, I would miss out on honing my other competencies in my other areas. My time management scheme, for instance, will include making sure I get all tasks done for both work and school. In terms of family, I need to spend more time with them when I am at home, and when I do, I should tuck away work concerns and just bond with my family. With regards to my self, daily bathing and feeding of self is not counted, as it has become routinary and uninspired. I should insert in my calendar time for myself like spending time at the gym or indulging in a hobby or just simply relaxing in my room to recharge my batteries. Relating With Others I know that I get along well with people. My self-assessment results validate that. I have positive experiences with people of diverse backgrounds and personalities. I am able to engage in conversations with others ranging from the simplest and most basic information to more complicated topics. I am sensitive to various personalities and get intimidated by those with very strong ones, and the loud voices that go with it. I get nervous around people like those. Sometimes, since I am so into learning more about them, I become too easy to manipulate. It is difficult for me to say ‘no’. I guess that makes me likeable but at the same time, I end up doing more favors to others than I can handle. When working with others, I try my best to be a good team player. I try to do my assigned tasks well and on time, and welcome criticism in case some adjustments are necessary. I extend help to others as well as request help from them, if needed. In order for me to build and maintain smooth interpersonal relationships with others, I am humble enough to admit my mistakes and in turn, forgiving of others’. I am honest with each person I encounter. I learned that lifelong learning does not only include my own initiative but others’ as well. I likewise learn from them as I vicariously experience their own learning when they share it with me. My co-learners are not only my colleagues and customers in the industry, but everyone around me- my family, friends, etc. I know that people are valuable resources in my journey in lifelong learning. My dealings with people help me strengthen my decision-making skills and help me learn to balance my relational skills with my rational skills. Evaluation of My Progress Thus far, I can say that I am doing very well in the implementation of my plans of becoming a lifelong learner, a good time manager and a good relater to others. I believe these skills will be beneficial to me as I go on with my journey towards success. I have made more conscious effort to improve on these skills. I cherish all the things I learn everyday, even the mistakes I make since these also bring about learning and wisdom not to repeat the same. My time and organisation skills are likewise in the process of being developed further. Old habits die hard and there are a million distractions that attract my attention away from my goals. Sometimes, I give in to these distractions, only to regret that I have lost a day or two doing something that is not worthwhile. The Time management matrix helps me focus more on the important things that need to be done. The overwhelming scope of my duties and responsibilities in my life have made me take work-life balance for granted. Sometimes, I end up prioritizing work too much that I become unaware of disappointments of people close to me for not having enough time for them. This is one area where I need to be more vigilant in improving. Being a people-pleaser is in my nature. However, my self-assessment tells me that I have the tendency to be exploited because I find it hard to turn people down when they ask for favours. In this aspect, I need to be more assertive of my preferences. This is also linked with knowing my priorities in life, my capacities and limitations and the available time I have. Reading more material on self-empowerment and assertiveness training are some things I can do to help me in this area. Conclusion Undergoing the assignments for this course has been very enlightening for me. I can conclude that the exercises I have done have been essential in my journey in personal and professional development. The four-stage cycle of self- assessment, planning, doing and reviewing is an effective way to truly stop and reflect on where one is at, where he is going and what he should do to get there. I have learned many things about myself. Some of which, I already know, but needed to hear it from an objective source. I know the extent of my self-awareness now and what is amazing is that there is more to discover about myself as I continue growing and learning. The experiences and people I encounter all contribute to my journey and it is really up to me to see them as opportunities or threats. I choose to be more positive and embrace new learning I can derive from such people and experiences as well as my own efforts to improve myself in all areas of my development. References Covey, S.R., Merrill, A.R. & Merill, R.R.(1994), First Things First. Simon & Schuster Croft, C. (1996) Time Management for Results. Thomson Learning Emea Osterman, K. F. (1990) Reflective Practice: A New Agenda for Education. Education And Urban Society 22, no. 2, pp. 133-152. Read More